Chapter 12: When I established myself as a messenger

--SABLE--

Working with Moritz was simple enough, although I mainly followed him as he occasionally showed me where on the map we would be going. However, most of the locations were near Lord Orvin’s estate, as many of his friends and associates lived in the same district on the upper levels. The map was extensive, but certain residents had already been marked on the paper, and Moritz explained that most messages sent were between the same correspondents. However, he told me that I would most likely be used for sending messages alone to receivers either at the mine or farmlands. At that moment, he assured me not to worry about doing much work, but rather familiarize myself with the districts of the city, and the way Lord Orvin ran his estate.

The residents who worked for Lord Orvin were friendly to me, and had immediately adjusted to my existence, treating me with respect—as an equal—a behavior I happily accepted. Although I had already left after finishing work, I returned to the estate after Historia’s grandfather had made it rather uncomfortable at the library, and I feared my presence would only cause further problems. In addition, Lord Orvin had already claimed that I could stay whenever I desired, and I explained to Mortiz my situation.

“Just always inform me when you will board, or the butler, so that the kitchen knows to prepare food for you,” he said before leaving me alone in my room.

“Should I tell Lord Orvin?” I asked.

“I don’t care. If he knows you’re here, he will probably ask you to dine with him. At this point, I believe he only expects you in the mornings for work. Anything else is up to you.”

“Should I dine with him?” After my question, Moritz looked over his shoulder, his hand steady on the door handle.

“You really are helpless,” he sneered. “I will only tell you this once. You are Lord Orvin’s shiny new object. He is fascinated by you like a child receiving their first pet. Give in to his desires, and he will only want more from you. It is up to you what you’re willing to entertain. But”— Moritz turned his head completely, but still kept his hand on the handle —“Know that all high-class society is like him. You can play their games but, if you make your own rules, you’ll be fine. But, if you play their games by their rules, you will get squashed. Like a child who is given too much freedom with their new pet.”

Moritz’s brown eyes shifted under the shadow of his hair, but his words lingered, even long after he had left the room, and, once again, I felt too ignorant to understand the man’s intentions and whether or not he meant to help or deter me.

I sat on the large cushioned bed surrounded by column bed posts and draped with a sheer canopy. I sighed, feeling conflicted at Moritz’ inclinations and Lillie’s refusal to join me outside of the library. I knew that she didn’t trust Lord Orvin—in essence, hated anyone she considered high-class—but with the security in which my new position gave us seemed enough for her to at least accept our living situation.

I slept alone for the first time since leaving the mountain in spring, and my heart yearned to be near Lillie as I woke several times in the night reaching for her, but finding nothing but piling blankets. I arose earlier than usual, and wandered down to the kitchen where the cooks were already preparing food for the staff. They fed me, and I wandered around the halls until I saw Lord Orvin enter his office after breakfast.

“My, you’re here early,” Lord Orvin exclaimed after he had just sat down.

“I stayed overnight,” I said, causing the man to raise his thin brows.

“Oh? I had no idea you were here. Do tell me when you decide to stay so that we can share breakfast together, or, daresay, dinner and drinks. I’m a sucker for pleasant company, and love to entertain well into the night.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Oh, did Lillie come with you too? Did you have a nice time together—do you need anything?” Lord Orvin rested his chin under the palm of his hand as he began writing out messages for the day, and I felt my neck tense at the thought of Lillie’s rejection of coming with me.

“I was alone.” The quill in his hand slightly jolted as he lifted his eyes, the glowing intensity causing my heart to race.

“Well, isn’t that surprising, for you two seem rather infatuated with each other, especially the way you speak so lovingly about her. I hope nothing happened. Or, do you need to be alone from time to time? I do hear that is healthy in the long run, but you two are so young.”

“We both have goals to achieve.”

“And what is Lillie currently attempting to achieve that demands her to stay away from you? She does know that she is welcome to stay here whenever she pleases, correct? I would have expected her to be readily accepting of such luxuries and privileges that I offer.” I shifted my eyes away as I folded my hands behind my back. “My, my dearest Sable, have I opened a wound? Has something happened between you two lovebirds that cannot be resolved?”

“It’s not like that. She—uh.”

“Yes—go on. For, you can ask me anything, for I do know a thing or two about relationships.”

“It’s only some personal information that she is seeking—with the help of some others who, well—are disturbed by my presence.”

“Ah—you poor thing. My, I’m sorry to hear, well, she may need the help from others, but you must know that you are never to feel disturbed by my presence, yes? You know.” Lord Orvin placed the quill down upon the desk and rose to his feet. He straightened out the edge of his violet waistcoat, and spun around, causing the wispy sleeves to flutter at his side as he walked over to the window overlooking the glass green space, and I followed him to his side. “You know, my dearest. Lillie comes from a district that is quite judgmental of others—rather narrow-minded, if I may add. I daresay I am not surprised that she would rather stay with those who look down upon you as someone to be disturbed by rather than stand up for you. It’s quite alarming, for you seem rather devoted to her, yet what about her?”

“I think you misunderstand—Lillie is devoted to me, but must seek out some information from others at the moment.”

“Like what, dearest? What is so important that she does not come here with you? What is causing her to reject my open invitation on account of keeping you comfortable and happy?” Lord Orvin glanced at me from the corner of his eye, but I kept staring out the window, observing the servants in the garden pruning the rose bushes.

“Do—do you know anything about magic?” Lord Orvin twisted his neck, and I felt suddenly nervous as he placed his hand upon my shoulder.

“Daresay, you are quite the mysterious character. Is that what is going on back at the library? Do the residents fear you due to the suspicions of—magic?”

“Not exactly—but, you said that the Teraganes were once spirit guides—what did you mean by that?”

“Well, you tell me. How do you know about magic? What do you know?”

“I know that the Sage can perform healing spells and carry an eternal-flame. And—maybe this healing magic can be also produced by Tamarines.” Lord Orvin’s yellow eyes narrowed as a smirk crossed his grey, aging face and he squeezed my shoulder.

“Magic is considered evil amongst the Tamarines—you must be cautious with this information, my dearest, especially those who may deem magic as a form of witchcraft. I wouldn’t want you to get hurt.”

“Yes, I have already discovered that.”

“Of course you have. Let us speak on the matter further after you’ve accomplished your task, for your next assignment, I must send you to a place where you are quite infamous for.”

“Uh—where?”

The mine? The market square? Lillie’s parent’s house?

“You should be able to get there on your own. Moritz says that you are learning the districts well, but this trip would take him twice as long and you would be much faster on your own.”

“Where?”

“The mine, of course. Oh, Sable, you’re intelligent but slow to put things together, aren’t you?” He laughed as he finally removed his hand from my arm, and drifted over to the desk again and picked up a candle and began sealing an envelope. I followed him to the side of the desk, ignoring his comment as a sense of nervousness overwhelmed my mind at returning to the mine—then again, maybe this was my opportunity to discover his affiliation.

“Lord Orvin—I must know—are you in control of the mine?” I asked as he pressed a sealing ring upon the hot wax.

“Control? Not at all—I own some aspects—investments within the exportation of ores. My affiliation is with trade outside of Ciimera. Cedrus City was initially founded on cedar exports and some ores found at the surface—for hundreds of years, daresay. However, a few decades ago, better mining advancements were created and extensive efforts were made to continue the artisan work which has kept the city as the most advanced in all of Ciimera.”

“Then. I must ask. What are you doing to ensure the safety of the mine workers along with these advancements?” Lord Orvin looked up at me as he held the sealed envelope in his bejeweled hand, evidential of his success in whatever he was speaking about.

“My—I had no idea you were so passionate. I assure you, after the incident last spring, we all have placed much effort on securing our investments. Surely, you can imagine the efforts all involved had made to reassure something like that were never to happen again.”

“I only know that people died, and I was almost one of them—Lillie as well. And I don’t know what happened after I saved a group of trapped workers, but it seemed that everything just continued, despite the lava monster crawling in the depths.”

“You poor, traumatized thing. I really am sorry for this dreadful experience. To be honest, I am quite unaware since I manage exportation. Actually, I am quite disconnected, only running things from afar, through other servants and ministers, and, my, oh my, to be honest, I have very little say in the matter.”

“Then, who does? Who can make the proper changes?”

“My dear boy, things are not that simple.” Lord Orvin shook his head as he quietly chuckled, causing the chains along his ears to sway. “Things run through many layers of parties involved, surely you do not believe there is simply one person to blame—daresay, me, out of all those involved? I could spend all day trying to explain things, but I’m afraid you may still not accept things with your desire for extensive details. I’m sure you have heard of the terms Masters, and perhaps Keepers, yes?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Those are simple terms—something used by the common folk to try to simplify how Cedrus City functions—a city, may I remind you, that has existed upon the names of the families—like Jamie. Yes, Jamie comes from the Kraventree family, an old family originating from the founders—they run the tax regime, always have, but it is like a tree root diving deep below the surface, and we only see the trees and its branches. But even that can hardly be understood. Does that make sense?”

“I suppose.”

“There are many ranks, hierarchies, families, lords, civil residents, yet the low-level—well, simple folk—often combine those in these positions under the term Masters.” Lord Orvin began chuckling as he placed his bejeweled hand over his mouth while lowering his gaze. “Sable, do you call me Master? Does Mortiz, or do the others? Am I some slave owner forcing people under my will?”

“No.”

“Yet, if you had not known who I was, you would easily subject me to such a basic term. No. I am a Lord. That is my privileged rank, a family I was born into many decades ago. I fulfill my role, just like workers in the mine fulfill their roles. I am no different, only that I was born into a higher class. I’m afraid this is just the way life is within Cedrus City. I’m sure your culture has some level of hierarchy, yes? The Sage, perhaps? Those who carry the magical fire?”

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“Yes.” I thought about the Sage, specifically about Cami being chosen for unknown reasons, and the refusal to tell me more about the history of the Teragane unless I were to comply. I thought about my banishment from my people. Although my culture was simple, it was still complicated, predated long before I was born.

Perhaps the complexities were not to be feared or judged, but rather to be navigated, like flying through the cedar tree branches, for, the trees establishing the foundation of the city had roots yet revealed, digging deep within the earth that no one would ever truly understand, unless one was a creature of the depth.

“I hope that you can at least understand your place now in this city, for I would very much enjoy having you learn more by my side,” Lord Orvin said with a smooth voice. “But, most of all, I shudder at the thought of you labeling me as some evil Master who sends people to their death in the mine. What happened in spring was terrible, and from my understanding, the workers were capable of handling the situation.”

“I would like to believe that,” I replied. “However, I do think major safety regulations are needed in the mine. Would you be willing to make some changes? I don’t completely understand your position, but you must have some influence and power with decision making? For the sake of your investments?”

“My! You are one of high morals. I would without hesitation listen to your suggestions and promptly do what I can to suggest better safety for our devoted mine-workers. I cannot promise immediate changes, but, for you, I will do what I can.”

“Really?”

“As I said, you and I will accomplish so much together now that you are here. You belong by my side, so, tell me, my dearest, what can I do for you with my mere influence as a lord?”

Was this possible? Was I really capable of helping others with my powerful influence? My heart beat fast as I thought about the happiness I could provide by making the city a better place for everyone to live. By Lillie’s side, she was discouraged from ever finding the ability to climb the ranks, yet there I was, standing in front of a man in power who was attempting to keep me by his side, giving me whatever I desired just for being his servant.

“Taffy is a worker who is interested in making the mine a safer place for workers. She should be given the freedom to do so.”

“Ah, yes, I know of this woman, for she has been quite outspoken, but I have only heard rumors from others. Allow me to write a new letter in reference to the others in the vicinity. Then, we can arrange a committee that could lead us to this proclamation in time.”

“What do you mean?” Lord Orvin shook his head while smiling and sat upon the desk chair as he pulled out fresh paper and coated the tip of the quill with ink.

“Perhaps another time I will explain to you what I mean, but I need you to deliver the message to the mine, for we have already spent much time over trivial matters. Yet, with anything worth investing one’s precious time, good things do come to those who wait.” Lord Orvin lowered his eyes as he began writing, and stated that he would give the new messages to Mortiz, and asked once again for me to be on my way.

Although I wanted to know more, or even explain to Lord Orvin about my personal experiences and horrors of the mine, I obeyed and left the estate, easily finding my way back to the mine for the memory of its location had imprinted itself in my mind.

A sense of hope rose within, and I easily forgot the discomfort of Lillie’s hesitation towards staying with me at the estate and, instead, decided to focus on my own personal agenda while she was focusing on hers. She surrounded herself with others who could help her find the answers in which she was seeking, and now I was around others who could teach and guide me to make life better for Lillie and I in Cedrus City.

Perhaps, in time, Lillie would overcome her apprehension of Lord Orvin—especially if he were to prove himself helpful in my integration amongst the Tamarines.

“What are you doing here?” a loud voice shouted as I stepped into the meeting shelter after entering the mine. I had walked through the main entrance, and entered the large cavern, and moved to the meeting structure where I had first met Taffy and the others. I found only Ezra bent over the table, and drinking a very strong smelling beverage as he scowled up at me.

“I have a message for you,” I said as I reached into the satchel, and Ezra slammed his fist upon the table.

“I thought I would never see the likes of you in this place. Yet, here you are, once again. Looking for more trouble?”

“Do you have more trouble for me to take care of?”

“Ho! You are an arrogant bastard!” He rose from his chair, slightly moving the table with his protruding gut. He moved close to me, but stopped as he eyed my attire. “A message? So, you’ve become a little pigeon for the Masters after all? You were lying to me before, weren’t you?”

“Where is Taffy?” I asked, ignoring his shrewd behavior, and handed him the sealed envelope addressed to him. “I also have some good news for her.”

“Bastard. You’re working for Lord Orvin? How fitting. How fitting, indeed. Can’t ruin my life enough, eh? Get the hell out, you demon child.”

“I find my connection with Lord Orvin fitting for helping create a better environment for the mine. I can help you, Taffy, and everyone else. I think you should—“

“I said get the hell out!” Ezra clenched his grimacing teeth as he pointed over my shoulder, and I thought about grabbing his hand and throwing him aside, but Lillie’s voice resounded in my mind, telling me to avoid reckless actions.

“Ezra,” I said softly as he breathed heavily through his clenched teeth. “I only want to help. I have asked Lord Orvin to provide better safety measures. He is going to—“

“You really do not know when someone has had enough of you,” Ezra interrupted, his tone degrading. His light gray skin looked paler than the last time I had seen him, seemingly ill as his scowl lowered. “It’s time for you to leave, wing-boy.”

“One day, you’ll thank me,” I said sternly, and he scoffed as he stumbled over to his chair and threw the sealed envelope onto the table. “I’m going to make proper changes to this place.”

“The only thing that’ll change is you—and for the worse.” Suddenly, his voice lowered, softened. “You have no idea what you’re up against. You’d be better off leaving while still given the chance.”

Unwilling to accept the pessimistic ideology of others while given a chance, I left without another word, and moved through the cavern as the sounds of crashing rocks and clanging tools caused my heart to race from past memories. Yet, in that moment, hope carried me through, knowing that I may be the only influential person—a Teragane in the midst of Tamarines—who could provide help to others stuck in a systematic world they deemed too corrupted to even consider the idea of hope.

It was like Lord Orvin had said, with anything worth investing one’s precious time, good things do come to those who wait.

That was all I needed to do to establish the changes desperately needed to make life better for Lillie and me.

Now, I just needed to wait for her to accept what I was doing really was worth it after all.

A feat proving harder to accomplish while living under Lord Orvin’s guidance.

I returned to the library after the mine, feeling excited to share everything with Lillie, but, alas, the screaming old man spotted me at the window, and, which entailed Lillie and I to visit the tavern just below the library for a meal and drink.

“He is already writing messages to others in affiliation of the mines to make changes—soon to give Taffy permission under my suggestions,” I said after telling Lillie everything that had happened with Lord Orvin that day. She sipped her mead while looking around the rather dark and filthy tavern filled with scowling men already drunk and bickering.

“We should have gone to The Old Bowl,” she murmured as she eyed the stale food she had given up on eating, stating that it was not worth the money.

“Did you not hear me?” I asked as I shifted in the uncomfortable chair that creaked a little too loud. Lillie’s green eyes met mine, but the dimly lit room caused her demeanor to appear darker than usual.

“Yeah I heard you,” she said. “But, you give the guy too much credit. He’s just stringing you along to get you—“

“Why are you so pessimistic? I finally found favor with someone who actually accepts me and all you can say is that I’m wrong.”

“I didn’t say that you’re wrong—you just—well.” She sighed as she placed the cup onto the table, and then folded her arms. “Listen. I’m trying really hard to accept this new position, but also asking you to not get all caught up in the grandiosity of making changes to a city that Lord Orvin really has no real reason to change while he benefits from the exploitation of the workers.”

“Yeah, whatever.” I lifted a cup of mead to my lips and gulped loudly, realizing I needed more time before Lillie would ever consider what I was doing was for the better. “Did you speak with grandfather about—you know?”

“He’s a little lucid at the moment,” she said, and crossed her legs under the table, slightly brushing up against mine, and I shifted my eyes back to hers. “But, he should settle down soon. At least, that is what Historia said.”

“Then I suppose I should stay at Lord Orvin’s again?”

“I mean, you could always just force the old man to accept you. We can just endure his craziness.” I laughed, then drank the rest of the mead, and then set it down quietly while a group of Tamarines snarled at me as they passed by.

“Yet, you’d hate for Lord Orvin to do the same to you.” Lillie opened her mouth, but then clenched her teeth as another Tamarine muttered something slurred as he walked by, pushing against my wings, causing me to rise to my feet. “I don’t feel like hanging out here any longer. I’m going back to where I’m actually accepted.”

“Sable, that’s—“ Lillie rose to her feet, but then her eyes drifted down as she then hurried out of the tavern, and I followed, ignoring the murmuring of unwelcoming Tamarines lingering behind. We stepped out into the street that was crowded with workers moving along, and scents of the mine permeated the air along with fresh meat and bread being handed to those seeking a quick meal at the nearby butcher.

“I’m sorry that things are so complex right now and people are being rather rude,” Lillie said quietly as we stood at the bottom of the stairs leading to the library on the second level. “Let’s just get through this—together.”

“Yeah—together.”

“I’m going to talk with Grandfather Maggie tomorrow. I’ll get some answers, and tell him all about you and that you’re one to be accepted. Okay?”

“Sure.”

“Then you can come back here and we can eat together with Historia, and spend time together again.”

“Sure.”

“And, I’ll come to the event next week.”

“And—will you stay with me then, at the estate? The—the bed is quite large.” Lillie looked over her shoulder as she observed the busy street filled with the evening crowd, and her white, loose hair drifted across her conflicted face.

“Just come back tomorrow again, maybe Grandfather Maggie will be better.”

“Sure. But—if he’s not?” Lillie shrugged, and I sighed, feeling suddenly desiring to beg for her to come with me to the estate, for I dreaded the thought of sleeping alone again. Yet, I didn’t want to force Lillie anymore than hear the man scream demon if he were to stumble upon my presence again. Even sleeping in the library seemed out of the question, for Lillie had said the man was notoriously slinking about the whole building without a care to other people’s wellbeing.

I kissed her goodnight, and we parted ways, and I hardly could understand why she would prefer to stay in a home that made me uncomfortable while avoiding a perfectly good place to sleep that provided all the amenities we would need, all for the sake of her pride.

Or was it something else?

I spent the next few days at Lord Orvin’s house, visiting Lillie well after I had accomplished my tasks for the day with Mortiz, adjusting to my position as a messenger amongst the elites. Each recipient seemed pleased enough to make my acquaintance, to which Mortiz scoffed stating that it was only because I was under the name of Lord Orvin.

“No one would dare slander him,” he had said. “I assure you that if they were to meet you anywhere else, they would treat you with utmost disgust as an outsider.”

Although I hated this fact, the protection and security that Lord Orvin provided me within the city was enough to overcome the discomfort of being apart from Lillie and the part of the city in which she felt secure within. I highly anticipated the dinner event in which she and Jamie would attend, and wondered if she would finally accept that the estate was a place where I felt accepted—a place where I wanted to be.

“Lillie may stay with me after the dinner event,” I told Lord Orvin as we sat together in his smoking room where he had invited me to join him the night before the event. He moved the wooden pipe away from his lips, and smoke cast around his relaxed face.

“Oh? How splendid, I’m sure you miss her terribly,” he said as he shifted his long leg over his other while lounging upon a wide-armchair.

“Yeah—I don’t like sleeping apart,” I said while I leaned forward upon the backless chair he had provided just for me. It was soft and I stroked the fibers next to me. He had provided so much while under his employment, always thought of the things I needed, including plenty of clothes designed with the finest silk, and had already given me plenty of Den in which I gave directly to Lillie to pay for whatever she wanted.

I had everything—well, except Lillie. I finally was living in a place where I could see her everyday and be part of her life, yet, there was still separation due to our differences.

“Oh, I can imagine, you poor, sweet thing,” Lord Orvin said as he tapped his fingers against the arm of the chair, eying me with his piercing yellow eyes. “I’m sure your reunification will be one of intoxicating affairs. I’m sure your mouth waters for her body. Let me know if you need anything.”

My heart raced at the thought of sleeping next to her again, and my soul began to ache for her warmth, her flavor—her body.

“You two are intimate, yes? I can hardly imagine you being able to control yourself when around her,” Lord Orvin chuckled as he then shifted his leg again, revealing his grey legs through the slit of his thin robe. “I know you’re young, obviously private. But, ah, such young love is so invigorating, I cannot help but ask.”

“We like to kiss.”

“I’m sure you do. Anything else?” My eyes lifted as Lord Orvin blew smoke out of his mouth, and a sly smirk crossed his face. “Ah, in due time. Perhaps tomorrow will be your first time. I’ll ask the housemaids to provide extra linen—perhaps aromatic flowers.”

“First time for what?”

“My—you are so innocent, aren’t you? You make me wish to be young again.” Lord Orvin rose from his chair and placed the pipe onto the small table as he then drifted over to my side while his long robe flowed around. Still sitting, I looked up as he placed a hand under my chin, tilting my face to the side. “Just follow your instincts. You’ll find out soon enough that there is more than just kissing.”

With a smooth movement, he drifted his hand to the side of my cheek, then ran a thumb across my eyebrow. With a pat against the top of my head, he then moved away, towards a cabinet filled with various trinkets, and folded his hands behind his back.

“I think it is time for you to go,” he said. “Tomorrow, the seamstress will dress you for the dinner event. I want you to look your best, for this will be your debut in high-society. I hope Lillie will only be pleased with what we are creating. For, I surely am.”

“I hope so too.” I stood up and adjusted my silk tunic as I walked past Lord Orvin who kept his back to me. “Sir—do you have someone that you love?” I moved to the door, but paused as I looked over my shoulder as the man sighed.

“Unfortunately, love and relationships grow more complicated with age and ranks. Genuine love seems to be impossible to achieve when one holds onto power. So—my advice. Do your best to preserve what it means to love now, for it may slip from your grip the more powerful you will become. Lillie must accept your natural progression in life, as you should as well.”

A shiver ran down my spine as I pushed through the door, and walked to my bedroom alone and fearful of my life choices as the growing distance between Lillie and I were only intensifying while I struggled to find some sense of belonging in the world of Tamarines.